Beet-topping machine



Nov. T924.

R. BOHMAN BEET TOPPING MACHINE:l

Filed Dec'. 29. 1920 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 gwumdot Reinhuld. Brahman www Nov. 4 1924. 1,513,737

R. BOHMAN BEET TOPPING MACHINE Filed nec.. 29. 1920 l 7 sheetsv-sheet 2 w I "Q ggwgmgg@ ...J m

1l ir: '1f-"fl x l N /r a n Reinhnld Bllhmll'l S1116: unf

Nov. 4"; 1924;

R. BOHMAN" BEET ToPPxNG MACHINE Filed Dec. 29. 1920 7 Sheets-Sheet I5 R. BOHMAN BEET TOPPING MACHINE Filed De. 29, 1920 7 sheets-sheet 4 Reinhn'ld Enhrnan 32 l I g'fwenko'c No'v. 4 ,1924, '1,513,737

R. BoHMAN 1 BEET TOPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 29. 1920 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Rinhul. Bnl-man @timmy Nov. 4', T924.

. R. BOHMAN BEET TOPPING MACHINE Filed DSC. 29. 1920 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Renmld Euhm an Sum/wf Patented Nov. 4. 1924.

t) Nl "t E@ 'S ila TEF@ PATENT @Fil REINHOLD BOHIVIAN, OF BAY CTY, MICHIGAN.

BEET-TGERPNG MACHINE.

Application filed 4December 29, 1920. Serial No. 433,907.

rseiul improvements in Beetloppiug Machines, ot which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to topping machines, and the primary object of the invent-ionis to provide an improved machine tor topping sugar beets prior to the harvesting thereof, se as to eliminate the difficulty hereto-betore experienced in harvesting beets, and the timel and labor consumedin topping :the beets at'ter harvesting.

Another object ot the invention is to lprovide, in a beet topping machine, a ,novel cutting device tor topping the beets; a novel means Ifor operating the cutters; a no-vel means :tor shitting.thev cutters laterally and vertically in accordance with the position ot the beets in the ground, and a novel means for elevating the beet tiops and delivering the same to one sidey ot the mach-ine.

A vfurther object of the invention is to provide a Wheeled main frame, a laterallyshiftable and vertically movable supplemental trame carried by the main frame, `,cutting knives rotatably carried bythe supplemenytal tiran'ie, a .gauge -lnite carried by the trame, and an elevator carried by the supplementaliiirame, thelinives and elevator beingoperated from the main trarne in a novel manner so as ,to permit the continuous uninterrupted .operation thereof during the various shift-ing movements .of the supplemental frame.

it still 'further object of theinvcntion is to provide a lateral conveyor carried by the main trame tor .receiving thebeet tops elevated, so as to permit `the tops to be deliv` ered to one side ot the machine, the said convavo-r being adapted to be projected trom either side ot the main trame, so as to deliver-the beet tops to either side of the 'trame which may be desired, the `coni-feyor belt having operating means arranged to auteniatically change the direction of travel ot the belt when the conveyor is moved from sie e ot the machine to the other.

i still further object of the invention is to provide an improved means lior driving the various operating parts ot the machine trom the supporti-ng axle "for the main trame, said supporting l axle having a. novel differential driving means interposed there` in, so as to permit ythe turning-etoile ofthe ground Wheels faster 4than the other when making' the turns, Without atlectingthesaid driving means.

lVith these and other objects invievv, fthe invention consists in thenovel construction, arrangement and formation ort parts as ,Will

be hereinafter more specically described,-

claimed, and `illust-rated in thel Yaccompanying` drawings, forming a lpart ot thi-especiiication, `in which drawings:

Figure l is a side lelevation of .the improved beet Atopping machine.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal.:section through the sam-e.

Figure 3 is a top lplan view ot the provedbeet toppingvniachine. y

Figure 4 is a. front elevationsof the improved machine, the draft `tongue being' shown in section.

yFigure 5 is avertical transversel section taken through the -improvedmachine onlthe line hot Figure l.

Figure 6y is av horizontal longitudin al.- sectherefor, and a portion otivthe elevating mechanism, the vsection being taken ont-he line 8 -8 oit' Figure 7.

,Figure .Slisa detail horizontal-:sectional View taken ontlie line .l-.49ct Eigure 8, illustrating ,the improved toppinglmives.

Figure l0 is a. fragmentarydetailvertical longitudinal section `through .the forward portion of the machine takenon the `line lil-l0 of Figure 3. y l

Figure l-l isa detail 'fragmentaryvert-ical section. through the drivefand supporting axle ot the machine illustrating the means for operatively connecting the sections thereof to the master drive gears.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate like and corresponding partsthroughout the same, the letter ift indicates the main trame; B, .the supplemental trame; `@the toppingl knives; D. the means for shifting the supplemental trame laterally to. center the knives C inrelation to thebeetsyfE, the

lltl

means for raising the supplemental frame for adjusting the knives C in relation to the various heights of beets; F, the elevators for receiving` the beet tops from the knives; G, the laterally extending conveyor carried by the main frame; and ll, the operating means for the knives, elevator, and conveyor.

rThe main frame A includes `the longitudinally extending side bars 15, the transversely extending` end bars 16, and the intermediate brace bars 17. rlhe longitudinally extending side bars 15, and 'the intermediate brace bars 17, carry depending bearings 18 for the reception of the sections 19 and 2O of the axle 21. The sections 19 and 20 of the axle 21 are polygonal shaped in cross section throughout their entire lengths with the exception of the portions thereof which are fitted within the bearings 18, and the inner ends of the sections 19 and 20 terminate in transversely aligned discs 22 and These sections 19 and 2O are joined together for independent movement by means of a cylinder 24. The discs 22 and 23 are arranged in spaced relation and have mounted between the same on the cylinder 241 for ro`- tary movement, the disc 25, which has formed thereon the master sprocket wheels 26 and 27, which form a portion of the driving mechanism lrl which will be hereinafter more specifically described. The inner faces of each of the master sprocket wheels 2G and 27 are provided with ratchet teeth. 23, which are adapted to be engaged by the pawls 29 which are pivotally connected by means of pins 30 to the inner faces of the discs 22 and 23. This connection forms a simple and convenient means for the driving of fthe master sprocket wheels 26 and 27 from the axle 21, and allows the axle sections 19 and 20 to rotate at different speeds in relation to each other, so as to allow the ground wheels 31 and 32 to conveniently turn at different speeds when the machine is making turns. The ground wheels 31 and are slidably mounted upon the axle 21, so that the same may be adjusted toward and away from the main frame l so that the machine can conform to toe various widtl s of the rows upon which the machine is operated. The wheels 31 and 32 are held against accidental sliding movement upon the axle 21 by means of suitable set screws 32. The forward transverse bar 16 has secured thereto in any preferred manner the draft tongue 35., to which may be secured the draft animals for drawing the improved beet topping machine over a vfield. rlhc ower surface of the main frame A has secured thereto a pair of spaced forwardly projecting blocks 36 and 37, which forni a bearing for the transversely extending drive .shaft 38. The drive shaft 38 also forms the pivot point for the supplemental frame l to permit the same to swing in a vertical plane, as will be hereinafter more specilically described.

rlhe upper surface of the frame A has secured thereto a pair of spaced transversely extending side plates 39 and 40, which are suitably braced intermediate their ends by means of a pair of spaced brace bars Lll. These side plates 39 and 110 and 'the brace bars d1 form a bed for the lateral conveyor.' G which also will be hereinafter more fully described.

The supplemental frame B includes a pair of longitudinally spaced beams 4t2 and 113, and these beams extend from the forward end of the main frame to a point wardly of the same. T he forward ends of these beams and 43 are rotatably mounted upon the shaft 33 as indicated by the numeral ed. rllhese lone'itndinally extend ing beams 42 and L13 are made in sections.. a front relatively short section 15, and a rear relatively long section 16. 'lhese sections are connected together by means of a pivot pin 417, which permits the rear tion of each of the beams l2 and d3 te sv ingr in a horizontal plane laterally of the mam l wil frame or `the direction of travel. V nus it be seen lthat the beams 4t2 and #i3 pe ted to swing in a vertical plane and 1n a horizontal plane,y the purpose of which will be hereinafter more specifically described. A. transversely extending sabritant'.allg,y

rectangular frame 50 is ari anged at the rearends of the beams e2 and 4-3, and this frame includes the vertically disposed side bars 51 and the upper connectingcross bar 52. The lower terminals of the vertically dif.:- posed side bars 51 are connected to th Y. rear ends of the longitudinally extending beam:y1 l2 and L13, by means of vertici-illy disposedV pivot pins 53. This allows the side bars 51 of the frame 50 to remain in parallel rela-A tion to the row of beets and the main A during the swinging of the longitudinally extending beams i2 and L13. The beams L12 and 41:3 are further connected to the frame 50 by means of brace straps 5i, and the rear ends of these straps 511 are pivotally connected to the upper ends of the frames by means of pivot pins 553, which are also disposed in a vertical plane.

Arranged intermediate the vertically disposed side bars 51 of the frame 50 is a pair of spaced plates 5G, which project rearwardly from the frame 50 and these pla have their forward. edges provided w slots for the reception of the horizontallj.v disposed bar 52 of the frame 50, and the side plates are secured thereto in any preferred manner. P are connected The side plates 5o together at their rear ends, by means of a rear wall or plate 57. rlhese side plates 56 and the rear plate or wall 57 form a partial housing for the elevating means F which vception of the discs or knives 59.

also will be hereinafter more specifically described. Forwardly extending arms S are formed on the side plates 56 and these arms are arranged intermediate the longitudinally extending beams 42 and 43.

rThe topping means C for the beets include a pair of discs 59, which are arranged in a horizontal plane, and these discs have their peripheries provided with cutting edges. Each of the discs is arranged directly below a sideplate 56, and is keyed or otherwise secured to a vertically disposed shaft 60, which is rotatably mounted in a suitable bore formed in a side plate 56. These discs 59 extend to the longitudinal center of the supplemental frame B, and are adapted to receive the beet tops therebetween to sever the Same from the body. The upper terminals of the shafts 60 have keyed or otherwise secured thereto intermeshing gea-rs 6l which permit the synchronous operation of the discs. The upper end of one of the shafts 60 has keyed or otherwise secured thereto a suitable sprocket wheel 62, which forms a part of the operating means H, which will also be hereinafter more specifically described.

The means D for shifting the supplemental frame B laterally of the main frame in the direction of travel for centerinn the discs 59 in relation to the beets being topped, consist of a pair of spaced shoes 63, which are arranged direct-ly below thel side plates 56. These shoes have their forward ends bevclled outwardly as at 64, and it can be seen that when a beet engages one of the inclined or bevelled inner faces of the shoes that the frame B will be swung laterally, so as to center the knives in relat-ion to the bee-t. The shoes 63 are connected to the side plates 56 by means of springs 65, which are bowed intermediate their ends, as at 66, for the re rlhese springs 65 permit the spreading of the shoe when relatively large beets are encountered. rllhe inner faces of the side plates 56 are also bevelled inwardly as at 67 for the reception of the beet top or foliage.

The means E for raising the supplemental frame B in relation to the beet tops, so that a uniform amount may be cut from each beet, include a longitudinally extending upwardly and forwardly inclined beam or plate 68, which is adjustable as will be hereinafter described. This plate 68 has adjustably secured to its lower end in any preferred manner the gauge knife 69 and if so desired the gauge knife 69 may be and is preferably mounted directly above and intermediate the discs or cutting knives 59 and is formed relatively broad, and the longitudinal edges thereof are sharpened so as to cut the beet tops during the lateral shifting of the supplemental frame B, so as to prevent t-he retarding of this shifting movement.

The gauge 69 is adjustable forward or backward, so that the position thereof can be varied in relation to the cutting knives 59.

The gauge 69 is adapted to ride over the beet tops and crush the foliage downward, and it can be seen that, as the forwardly and upwardly inclined surface thereof engages the beet top, the supplemental frame B will be either raised or lowered according to the height at which the crown o-f the beet projects from the ground. Thus a uniform amount is cut from each beet.

In order to permit the free raising of the supplemental frame B, a pair of relatively strong contractile coil springs 70 are provided, and these coil springs 70 have their opposite ends secured respectively to the longitudinally extending bea-ms 42 and 43, and to the rear end bar i6 of the main frame A. These springs 7 0^ practically support the weight of the supplemental frame B, and thus it can be seen' that when the gauge knife 69 engages a beet, the frame can be easily raised. By referring to the drawings it can be seen that the tension of these springs can be readily regulated, and suitable wing nuts are mounted upon adjustable stems carried by the springs for permitting this adjustment.

The elevating mechanism l? for raising the beet tops and for carrying the same away. from the cutting knives or discs 69 includes the conveyors 70, 7l and 72. The conveyor belt 7 0 is arranged in rear of and above the cutting knives or discs 59. This belt 70 is trained around upper and lower rollers 73 and 74 respectively which are rotatably arranged between the side plates 56. These rollers are provided with extended terminals which have secured thereto sprocket wheels 74, around which is trained a sprocket chain 7 5, so that the rollers will be operatet. synchronously for actuating the belt 70. rlthe belt 7l 'extends upwardly and forwardly from the belt 70 to a part intermediate its ends, and this belt has its upper run extending between a pair of upwardly and forwardly extending side plates 75. These side plates have their lower terminals secured to the side plates 56, which have heretobefore been described, and the side plates support a table 76. rl`hese side plates 75 project forwardly over the main frame il. The belt 7l is formed relatively narrow and is trained around suitable rollers 77, 7 8, 79 and 80. The rollers 79 and 77 are rotatably mounted intermediate the side plates 56, while the upper roller 78 is rotatably mounted between the side plates 75 at the upper ends thereof. The outer ends of the rollers 77 and 79 are reduced and have keyed or otherwise secured thereto sprocket wheels 7 around which is trained a sprocket chain thus it can be seen that the rollers will 60 be synchronously operated. The roller 8O is nu y operating parts of thel machine, and this driving means H will now be described.

The. driving means H include the drive shaft 38 as heretofore described, and this drive shaft 38 has keyed or otherwise secured thereto a sprocket wheel 116, which is in direct alignment with the sprocket wheel 26, and the sprocket wheel 26 and the sprocket wheel 116 have trained around the same the drive sprocket chain 117. A bevelled gear wheel 118 is keyed tothe drive shaft 38 and this bevelled gear has meshing therewith a bevelled gear wheel 119 which is keyed or otherwise secured to a vertically disposed counter shaft 120 which is rotatably carriedvby a bracket 121 which is secured to the blocks 36 and 37. This vertically7 disposed counter shaft 120- also has keyed or otherwise secured thereto a sprocket wheel 122 which is in alignment with a sprocket wheel 123 which is keyed or otherwise secured to a vertically disposed shaft 124, which is rotatably carried by suitable bearing blocks 125 carried by one of the side bars 51 of the frame 50. Thesesprocket wheels 122 and 123 have trained around the same the drive sprocket chain 126. The vertically disposed shaft 12a has keyed or otherwise secured thereto a bevel gear 127 which meshes with a bevel gear 128 which is secured or otherwise fastened to the extended terminal of the drive roller 77. The extended terminal of the drive roller 77 also has secured thereto in any preferred manner the sprocket wheel 92. Thus it can be seen that the belts 71, 7() and 72 will be operated synchronously. ln order to permit of the operation of the cutor topping means C, the upper end of the shaft 1241 haskeyed or otherwise secured thereto the sprocket wheel 129, which is in the same plane'with the sprocket wheel 62 carried by one of the shafts 60, and these sprocket wheels 62 and 129 have trained around the same the drive sprocket chain 130.

It is preferred that the belts 70, 71 and 72 be driven at a relatively low rate of speed, while the topping means C be driven at a relatively high rate of speed.

The cross brace bars 41 of the plates 39 and 40 support a counter shaft 131, which is arranged above the drive axle 21. This shaft has keyed or otherwise secured thereto intermediate its ends, a sprocket wheel 132, and this sprocket wheel and the master sprocket wheel 27 have trained around the same a drive sprocket chain 133. The shaft 131 adjacent to its terminals has secured thereto a relatively large bevelled gear 134 and a bevelled gear wheel 135. The gear wheels 134 and 135 are adapted to be engaged respectively by the gears 114- and 115, and when the laterally extending conveyor G is arranged at one side of the machine, the gear 11a engages the gear wheel and drives the conveyor belt 95. in. one direction, and when the conveyor G isarranged in the opposite side of the machine, the gear 115 engages the bevelled gear or wheel 135, and the belt is driven in the opposite direction.

r1`hus it can be seen that a convenient means has been4 provided for driving thc conveyor belt 95 in opposite directions for delivering` the severed beet top to eitl'iersid'e of the machine.

1n operation of the improved machine, the same is driven down a row of beets, the tops of which are to be severed, and the guide shoes 63 will move the frame B laterallyin accordance with the position of the beets in the ground, so that the knives 59 will effec, tively sever the tops. of the beets irrespective of their position in the ground and the gauge E will move the saine vertically so as to raise or lower the knives in accordance with the heights of the crowns of the beets from the ground'. After the tops have. been severed, the same will be engaged bythe upwardly extending belt and be pulled upwardly between the belts 70 and 71, after which the same will be brought forwardly by means of the belts 71 and 72 and then dropped ion the laterally extending conveyor G. The conveyor belt 95 will then deliver the severed beet top to either side of the machine according to the position thereof.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that an exceptionally simple and durable beet topping machine has been provided, in which a novel driving means for the operating parts has been incorpo-ratedP so as to prevent the slack in any of the driv ing means during the lateral and vertical shifting of the supplemental frame B..

Changes in details may be made without departing from thev spirit or sco/pe of this invention; but,

l claim:

1. A beet topping machine comprising a main frame, an axle rotatably carried by the main frame, ground wheels secured to the axle, a counter drive shaft carried by the main frame arranged adjacent to the forward end thereof, means for driving the counter shaft from said axle, a supplementall frame pivotally secured to the counter sha-ft, beet topping knives carried by the supplemental frame, an elevator arranged in rear of the beet topping knives, and means for operating the beet topping knives and the elevator from said counter shaft.

2. A beet topping machine comprising a main frame, a drive axle, a counter shaft carried by the main frame, means operatively connecting the axle with the counter shaft, a supplemental frame hingedly secured to the countershaft, topping knives carried by the supplemental lamen an elevator arranged in rear of the topping kur-resi, a laterally emending` conveyor carried by the main frame, and means for operatii the conveyor elevator and topping knives from the counter shaft and axle.

3. A beet topping machine comprising' main frame7 a drive axle carried by the main frame, adjust-able ground Wheels secured to the axle, a counter-shaft carried by the main iframe, a laterally and vertically swinging supplemental iframe carried by said counter-shaft, pair of rotary disc knives carried by the supplemental frame, an upwardly extending; elevator belt arranged in rear ot the dise carried by the supplemental frame, a forwardly extending relatively narrow conveyor belt carried by the supplemental trame and arranged in 'front of and in trictional Contact with the .rst mentioned conveyor belt9 a relatively' broad conveyor belt arraneed intermediate the runs ot the second m` ioned coni yor belt and in 'rictional Contact with the 'ripper run thereofT means for opera-ting the disc knives vand the conveyoiI belts trom said counter shaft, a laterally shittable conveyor carried by the main frame and arranged below the second and third mentioned tonveyor belts, and means for operating the laterally shittable conveyor belt from said axle.

4e. A beet topping machine coniprising a main frame, a laterally and vertically swinging supplemental trame carried by the main frame? beet topping` knives carried by the supplemental trame, beet engaging guide shoes arranged below the topping knives and one each side ot the meeting aces thereof for centering the knives in relation to the beets being topped7 and leat springs for con neetinfg` the guide members to the supple-- mental frame whereby spreading oi the.

shoes Will be permitted.

5. A beet topping' machine comprising a main frame, a supplemental trame secured to the main trame for lateral and vertical movement in relation to the direction of travel of the machine, beet topping mechanism Carried by the supplemental tramer` means carried by the supplemental trame to shift the same laterally to center the beet topping; means in relation to the beets being acted upon, a supporting` bar adjustably carried by the supplemental frame, means adjustably carried by the bar for raising the trame in relation to the beets being;` acted upon7 a forwardly extending conveyor for receiving the beet tops? and means for raising?,` and lowering` the conveyor.

G. it beet toppingY machine comprising a main frame, a supplemental trame disposed in rear ol the main 'frame including a paill of longitudinally extending side bars pivota ly secured to the main trame9 and a sec ond trame forming; a part of said supple-- mental i"iaii'ie hingedly secured to longitudinally extending site bars, each ot' the longitudinally extending side bars inclndin hingedly connected sections, a pair ot rota table shafts carried by the second trameT dise secured to each one of said shafts hav-- ing the sharpened peripheral cutting edge means connecting the shaitts together tor synchronous movement., guide shoes carriedl by the supplemental trame belorT said discs. a gauge knife arranged above and intermediate the knives carried by the second trame the side edges ot the knives being sharpened. and means for rotating said shafts.

7'. A beet topping machine conmrisine` running` gear., a main trame supported by tbe rnnnimg` gear, supplemental trame adjustably secured to said main ,trame for verieal and lateral adjustable movementse beet topping knives carried by the supplemental frame, elevator means carried by the sup plemental means, a conveyor carried by the main trame -tor selective lateral disposition ot material deposited thereon from the elevater, and means for driving' said beet topping knives, elevator; and conveyor from said running gear.

RElNHOLD BGHR/IAN. 

